Zeus Arc vaporizers
The designers at Zeus Arsenal have been hard at work over the last few years working on their latest high-performance vaporizer and this is how two twin models were created - Zeus Arc and Zeus Arc GT. It looks like all that hard work has paid off as these vaporizers have started to get some serious attention, being named O'Cannabiz 2019 Cannabis Accessory of the Year. The Zeus Arc is designed in Germany and features a slim classic silhouette, great battery life, vibrating notifications, an accelerometer, a hidden multi-tool and depending on the version you choose, an all-gold steam path, in the case of the Zeus Arc GT model.
There are 2 different versions of Zeus Arc and Zeus Arc GT, which includes GoldSink technology using heat synchronization with gold and a gold-plated chamber. The standard version has stainless steel instead of gold and therefore costs a little less.
Editor's Note: Zeus Arc Firmware Update is now available! Connect Zeus Arc to your computer to update to different heating profiles. This update gives users more control over the pair, so try them out for yourself and find a profile that suits you!
How it's working
Both versions of Zeus Arc work exactly the same way. First, remove the mouthpiece from the top of the housing to expose the heating chamber. There is a strainer and heat sink inside the mouthpiece to help ensure a better quality vapor.
Removing the mouthpiece reveals the rim surrounding the chamber in the Zeus, this rim can actually be used as a measuring cup to load herbs, no need to use your fingers. If you need extra help with filling the chamber or whipping herbs, you can use the hidden multi-tool located at the bottom of the housing.
For best results, we recommend filling the chamber completely. Once the device is loaded with herbs, put the mouthpiece back on the device and basically the vaporizer is ready to go. Press and hold the power button, the LEDs will light up and the device will turn on and begin to heat up, heating usually takes about 45 seconds.
To switch between temperatures, simply touch the power button and the LED will change to reflect the currently set temperature, there are 3 settings in total. The LEDs will flash as the device heats up, and when the Zeus Arc reaches the selected temperature, the LEDs will turn green and the vaporizer will vibrate in your hands.
Place your mouth on the edge of the mouthpiece on the side of the device with the Zeus Arc logo to locate the air inlet and begin to inhale smoothly.
After 10 minutes, the vaporizer will turn off automatically, this is the time set for one session. Zeus Arc also has an accelerometer that detects the user's movements, and if no movement is detected within 30 seconds, it will automatically turn off to save herbs.
To check the battery life of the Zeus Arc, just shake the device when it's on and the LEDs will show the current charge level.
At the end of the session, use the hidden multi-tool on the bottom of the housing to empty the herbs from the chamber. The tool can also be used to remove debris from the screen in the mouthpiece.
Temperature flexibility
The creators of Zeus took a slightly different approach to temperature settings with the Zeus Arc vaporizers and refer to temperature settings as temperature cycles.
The idea is that you should be able to have a session each cycle with one and the same herb chamber, effectively vaping the same chamber over 3 different sessions.
Technically, you can run Zeus on Cycle 1 in the morning, then come back in the afternoon for another Session on Cycle 2, and finally complete the bedtime chamber on Session 3. Based on a recent survey, we found that most people do between 1 up to 3 sessions per day, this device is perfectly calibrated for the average vaper's lifestyle, but instead of wasting herbs for each session, you can effectively extract herbs for 3 separate sessions.
For those who want a more dynamic and immediate extraction of their herbs, we suggest starting cycle 3 right away for a truly powerful vapor.
For those looking for the best of both worlds, we suggest starting with Cycle 2 and moving to Cycle 3 immediately after the first 10-minute session. This will give you a pleasant 20-minute session, perfect for watching your favorite TV show.
If you still want to be able to adjust your temperature settings, Zeus has made available a desktop application that will allow you to load the Zeus Arc with a different heating profile. One setting is for flavor, another for use with ice or hookah, and takir for a balanced performance spectrum.
Users looking for full temperature control usually prefer a high-end device like the DaVinci IQ2 or Mighty.
Steam quality
The vapor quality in the Zeus Arc is impressive. The Zeus Arc GT version uses gold-plated elements of the air path, chamber and heat sink. Gold is one of the most conductive materials on earth, capable of heating up quickly and dissipating heat just as quickly, which is why it was used in the GT model.
The gold heating chamber heats the herbs effectively and efficiently, and the gold heat sink removes the heat before it reaches your mouth and works exceptionally well in practice. You are able to produce large clouds of vapor without feeling irritated by the hot air.
Unlike other conduction-based vaporizers like the Flowermate Slick, the Zeus Arc will have you catching big clouds from the first pull. If you like thick vapor, this model is perfect for you.
The standard version of Zeus Arc is also up to par in vapor quality, although we found the flavors to be a bit more subdued compared to the gold steam path, it will still make for an equally impressive vapor.
Stainless steel is good at transferring heat to the herbs and dissipating heat through the heatsink, but using both, we can definitely distinguish them and in this comparison to Zeus Arc GT it is the better model that users want.
Production quality
The build quality of the Zeus Arc is definitely top notch and we wouldn't expect anything less from a product that was designed in Germany. That's right, just like Storz & Bickel products like Mighty or Crafty+, Zeus Arc is really well made.
Designers also clearly borrowed some design ideas from the automotive industry, characterized by elegant lines, a smooth finish and a powerful engine enclosed in a small housing. The vapor that this little wafer can deliver is truly impressive for its size and puts more expensive units to shame.
The built-in tool The toothpick is a nice touch and something every portable vaporizer should have, similar to Fenix Pro. It is not necessary to mix the herbs during your Zeus Arc session, but it does promote more even heating and better overall extraction. Fortunately, thanks to the large edges above the chamber, mixing herbs is hassle-free and can be done easily in the middle of the session.
The two most hidden features are not visible, and these are the vibration notification and the accelerometer. Vibration is already in many models today, and here too, providing a gentle buzz to let you know that the device is ready for inhalation or turns off. Thanks to this, you do not have to constantly look at the Zeus LEDs to know what the current state of the device is.
The accelerometer is used for 2 functions; firstly, it senses the user's movements when they use the device, if the device does not detect movements for 30 seconds, it starts cooling the heating chamber so as not to waste herbs and batteries, which is perfect for the forgetful connoisseur. Secondly, it is used to show the current battery level, just shake the device and it will display the LED lights will show the charging status.
Of course, we give the Zeus Arc GT an advantage in production quality over the standard Zeus Arc due to the use of gold in the steam path and the improvements it brings over the standard version, but if you want to save some money, the standard Zeus Arc will be a more than satisfying choice.
Battery life
For such a small unit, you can expect a short battery life. Zeus Arc exceeds the expectations of portable vaporizers, offering approximately 90 minutes of operation on a single charge. Depending on the heat cycle you use and session length, you can expect another 6-9, 10 minute sessions, which is fantastic for a device of this size.
To charge the Zeus Arc, simply remove the multi-tool on the bottom of the device to reveal the USB charging port. Place the multi-tool on the magnetic mouthpiece to store it while charging.
Ease of use
Unlike Firefly 2+, which has the so-called The so-called learning curve, Zeus Arc is one of the most convenient dry herb vaporizers on the market, loading it is a breeze, and using the rim around the heating chamber, you can simply scoop the herbs from the grinder without using your fingers.
After filling the chamber with any herbs, e.g. CBD hemp, just turn on the device with a long press of the button and select the heating cycle. Once it reaches temperature, you can vape for 10 minutes or more if needed, once you're done vaping simply use the included multi-tool to empty the chamber.
Cleaning the Zeus Arc is also hassle-free, just remove the heat sink and strainer from the silicone mouthpiece and immerse in a cleaning solution, such as a vapo cleaner.
We recommend using 99% ISO alcohol to clean the chamber, gently wiping the chamber after the heating cycle. Even the air channel at the bottom of the device can be completely cleaned. There are no places on Zeus that can't be cleaned, so you never have to worry about performance degradation caused by debris building up in a hard-to-reach spot.
Discretion
Zeus Arc is very discreet, small size and black housing make it easy to use and carry. The square design of the device is quite ordinary and probably looks like a portable charger, power bank or something like that.
Summary
Zeus Arc is a fantastic vaporizer that will surely satisfy people who need a small vaporizer capable of producing large amounts of vapor. The battery life is more than enough for users at 90 minutes, and the built-in vibration and accelerometer are additional nice features in these models.
